Indian trio seeks excess GSM spectrum

Three of India’s GSM mobile network operators – Tata Teleservices (TTSL), Reliance Communications (RCom) and Idea Cellular – have approached the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) with a request for additional spectrum, the Business Standard reports. The cellcos are seeking a total of 1.8MHz each in a number of operating regions; TTSL is looking for extra frequencies in ten circles, while Idea wants additional spectrum in Mumbai and Bihar . A source at the regulator has however only indicated with regards to RCom that the cellco wants extra space in ‘a few’ circles. Should the DoT approve the requests, each operator’s spectrum allowance would rise from 4.4MHz to 6.2MHz in those regions where it is granted extra frequencies.